Golfer{40 s stance gauge including undue sway indicator

ABSTRACT

The stance gauge has a first strip to be straddled by the golfer&#39;&#39;s feet substantially normal to the desired line of flight of a golf ball. A replaceable rod is mounted on the front end of the strip for indicating the proper teeing position of the golf ball prior to swinging. A cross-strip is adjustable intermediate its ends on the first strip intermediate the ends of the first strip. A left foot positioning pad is pivotally adjustably mounted on the cross-strip to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer&#39;&#39;s left foot. A right foot positioning pad is pivotally and axially adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and is adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer&#39;&#39;s right foot. A vertical rod is adjustably secured to the rear end of the first strip adapted to be positioned in rear of the golfer&#39;&#39;s left knee to indicate undue sway of the golfer&#39;&#39;s body during swinging. First indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the left foot pad for indicating its proper angle adjustment; other indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the right foot pad for indicating the spacing between the golfer&#39;&#39;s feet in relation to the golf ball during back swing. Further indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the first strip for indicating lateral positioning of the cross-strip on the first strip. Still further indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the first strip for indicating proper angular positioning of the said strip to allow for &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hooking&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;slicing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; the golf ball. And pins are provided for securing the strips down upon the ground surface after stance adjustments have been made.

United States Patent Hyotlaine [54] GOLFER'S STANCE GAUGE INCLUDING UNDUE SWAY INDICATOR William Kenneth IIyotlalne, 461 West Ocean Blvd., Jupiter, Fla. 33458 [22 Filed: Oct. 8, 1970- [211 Appl.No.: 79,017

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ....Z73/l87 R, 273/183 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field ofSearch ..273/l83 13,187, 188

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,170 11/1939 Richards ..273/187 R Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-Alexander & Dowell [57] ABSTRACT The stance gauge has a first strip to be straddled by the golfer's- [451 Feb. 1, 1972 feet substantially normal to the desired line of flight of a golf ball. A replaceable rod is mounted on the front end of the strip for indicating the proper teeing position of the golf ball prior to swinging. A cross-strip is adjustable intermediate its ends on the first strip intermediate the ends of the first strip. A left foot positioning pad is pivotally adjustably mounted on the crossstrip to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer's left foot. A right foot positioning pad is pivotally and axially adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and is adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfers right foot. A vertical rod is adjustably secured to the rear end of the first strip adapted to be positioned in rear of the golfers left knee to indicate undue sway of the golfers body during swinging. First indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the left foot pad for indicating its proper angle adjustment; other indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the right t foot pad for indicating the spacing between the golfers feet in relation to the golf ball during back swing. Further indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the first strip for indicating lateral positioning of the cross-strip on the first strip. Still further indicia on the cross-strip cooperates with an edge of the first strip for indicating proper angular positioning of the said strip to allow for hooking and slicing the golf ball. And pins are provided for securing the strips down upon the ground surface after stance adjustments have been made.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures r 1 GOLFERS STANCE GAUGE INCLUDING UNDUE SWAY INDICATOR DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION This invention is a novel stance gauge for golfers, whereby a golfer, either a beginner or an experienced golfer, can assume the proper position or stance to swing through" and hit a golf ball.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a gauge of the above type having a point indicator showing the proper location of the golf ball in relationship to the golfers hands and feet, and indicating the proper positioning of the golfers body; also having an indicator for the more experienced golfer, at the right side of the left knee, indicating when the golfer sways on his swing; also having foot positioning means which can be set at an angle to the line of flight of the golf ball to give the golfer the proper stance for hooking" or slicing" a golf ball; also having means indicating the proper foot positioning, with adjustments for changing the foot position from golfer to golfer for the given shots needed; also having means for attaching the device to either a practice carpet or onto the ground surface to keep the device from changing from its original adjusted position between swings; also having plastic indicators for locating the position of the golf ball and for positioning the angle of the feet, which indicators are replaceable so that the golfer does not have to be concerned with damaging the device.

My stance gauge is intended to be used wither by professionals giving lessons, or by golfers using this device to practice the information learned during the lesson, and to insure that the golfer will continue in the same stance that he was instructed to use, without unknowingly changing back to his faulty original or previous style of swinging. Furthermore, my device can be used by the beginning golfer. Moreover, my stance gauge is intended for use, with instructions, so that the beginner can learn the fundamentals of golf swings without the aid or professional instruction, where same is not available or is too costly, although it is advisable to usethe stance gauge in connection with a professional giving-the golfer lessons in correct procedure.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational perspective view of a golfer positioned over my novel stance gauge.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a golfer positioned over by novel stance gauge.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tachments thereto.

FIG. 4 is a detail of the ball-positioning device used in connection with the stance gauge.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the sway indicator used in connection with the stance gauge.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the right foot placement pad used in connection with my novel stance gauge.

As shown in the drawings, my novel stance gauge comprises a strip 1 of metal or shatterproof plastic or the like of suitable width, adapted to be straddled by the feet of the golfer in ad dressing a golf ball priorto hitting the ball, said strip being of sufficient length to extend substantially in front of the golfers feet and also projecting rearwardly of the golfers feet, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front end of the strip 1 being beveled as at 1a on one side of the strip 1 and beveled as at lb on the opposite side of the strip at the rear end thereof, as shown more particularly in FIG. 3.

Extending longitudinally of the strip intermediate its ends is a slot 1c for the purpose hereinafter described; and adjacent gauge, showing the atthe front and rear ends of the strip 1 are holes 1d, 1e, respectively, adapted to receive pins, which may be golf tees or the like, in order to pin the strip 1 to the ground or practice carpet, as the case may be, to prevent shifting thereof during use of the stance gauge.

The front end of the strip 1 is flanged upwardly as at If, FIGS. 3 and 4, and is perforated or slotted in order to receive a plastic indicator rod 2, the outer end of which rod 2 denotes the proper location for the placement of the golf ball or tee at the front end of the strip 1 to give the proper distance from the golfers body so that the club head will travel through the proper arc to hit the golf ball straight.

At the rear end of the strip 1 is an arm 3 which is pivotally adjustably mounted on the strip 1 by means of a bolt having a wing nut 4, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the outer end of the arm 3 carrying a vertically disposed metal or plastic rod 5 which is secured to the outer end of the arm 3 in any desired manner, such as by a clamp 6, as shown in FIG. 5. By the above construction, the arm 3 which carries the rod 5 may be adjusted by loosening wing nut 4 so that the rod 5 may be positioned just to the right side of the golfers left knee, notifying the golfer when a sway of the body has been efiected, which swaying would prevent the golfer from getting the full force of a swing usually obtained by staying in a firm position when striking the ball.

Upon the strip 1 is adjustably mounted a cross-strip 7, the same having a slot 7a (FIG. 3) therein adjacent one end adapted to overlie the slot 10 of strip 1, and a bolt is inserted through the slots 10, 7a and carries a wing nut 8, FIG. 3, whereby the cross-strip 7 may be adjusted when wing nut 8 is loosened both axially with respect to the strip 1 and laterally with respect thereto, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

Adjacent the ends of cross-strip 7 are holes 7b, 7c, respectively, adapted to receive pins or golf tees or the like to fix the cross-strip 7 in adjusted position to prevent shifting thereof during use of the stance gauge, in the same manner as explained above in connection with holes 1d, 1e of strip 1.

Preferably scale markings 7d, FIG. 3, are provided along the slot 7a to indicate the lateral positioning of the cross-strip 7 with respect to the strip 1. On the strip 7 adjacent the left end of the slot 7a are crossmarks 7e, 7f, FIG. 3, in the form of the letter X which serve as indicators on the cross-strips 7 to show the proper angular positioning of the cross-strip 7 on strip 1 for changing the foot positions of the golfer during his stance in order to allow for hooking or slicing" the golf ball.

At the left-hand end (FIG. 3) of the cross-strip 7 is a footpad 9, of generally square shape, which is pivotally attached to the cross-strip 7 at the upper right-hand corner thereof by means of a bolt passing through the pad 7 and cross-strip 1, and provided with a wing nut 10, so that the angularity of the footpad 9 on the strip 7 may be adjusted. In the rear edge of the pad 9 is an arcuate recess 90, FIG. 3, adapted to receive the toe of the shoe on the left foot of the golfer; and the lower edge is also provided with an upturned flange 9b at its rear left comer receiving a plastic rod 11 adapted to serve as a foot guide for positioning the golfers left foot, the rod I] normally lying alongside the outer edge of the left shoe of the golfer. On the cross-strip 7 cooperating with the inner edge of the pad 9 are indicia 7g for denoting angle adjustment of the pad 9 to facilitate proper foot adjustment of the golfer.

A right footpad 12, FIGS. 3 and 6, is provided adjacent the right-hand end of the cross-strip 7, said pad having an arcuate recess 12a in its inner edge for receiving the toe of the shoe of the right foot of the golfer. The lower right-hand corner of the pad 12 is flanged upwardly as at 12b to receive a plastic pin or rod 13 serving as a guide for positioning the right foot on the pad 12, the rod 13 being adapted to lie alongside the outer side of the shoe on the right foot of the golfer. The pad 12 is adjustable axially of the cross-strip 7 by means of a bolt passing through the pad 12 and through an axially disposed slot 7h in the cross-strip 7, said bolt carrying a wing nut 14 whereby the pad 12 may be adjusted angularly with respect to the cross-strip 7 and may also be shifted toward or from the strip 1 and the pad 9. The cross-strip 7 carries indicia markings 7], FIG. 3, also the slot 7h, thereby denoting one adjustment of the footpad 12 with respect to the footpad 9 to give a comfortable stance position for the golfer, Le, a closer or wider stance according to the need for proper spacing of the golfers feet to obtain the greatest possible turn of the hands and the body of the golfer during his backswing.

By the above construction my novel stance gauge may be placed on the ground substantially normal to the desired path of travel of the golf ball, and the golfer will straddle the strip 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, placing his left foot in proper position with respect to pad 9, and his right foot with respect to pad 12, and placing the ball or tee at the outer end of the rod 2 of the strip 1. The cross-strip 7 may be adjusted with respect to the strip 1 by loosening the wing nut 8 to give the proper distance of the golfers body from the ball so that the club head will travel through the proper arc to hit the ball straight. The device also positions the feet through the use of the footpads 9 and 12 which are adjustable as to the distance the feet should be placed apart, and also the angle of the foot placement which is indexed on the gauges 7g and 7j showing that the feet should are in the proper position for hitting the ball. Furthermore, the cross-strip 7, by means of the indicia can be adjusted with respect to the strip 1 so as to square the strips 1 and 7 to a 90 angle to give the ball the proper positioning back away from the left heel of the golfer in relationship to the number of the wood or iron club being used; also the crossstrip 7 may be adjusted to the correct angle to create a slice" or hook" by changing of the positioning of cross-strip 7 in relationship to the feet of the golfer using the indicia 7e, 7fto create a slice or hook.

Furthermore, the cross-strip 7 can be adjusted backward or forward on strip 1 to give the positioning of the feet a closer or wider stance according to the need of the instructions to give the greatest possible turn of the hands and the body on the golfer's backswing; also the vertical rod can be adjusted so as to be positioned just to the right side of the left knee, notifying the golfer when a sway of the body has been effected which would prevent the golfer from realizing the full force of the swing. The vertical rod 7 used to prevent swaying of the body can be adjusted in or out of the way of the knee by loosening the wing nut 4 when use of the rod is not necessary, or may be removed from the strip 1 when use is not desired.

When so adjusted the strips 1 and 7 may be fastened to the ground by inserting pins or tees into the holes 1d, 12, 7b, 7c so that when adjusted the device may be used over and over again without further adjustment when practicing the hitting of a ball utilizing any one of the usual golf clubs, but may be readily readjusted when practicing with each of the remaining golf clubs.

I claim:

1. A stance gauge for golfers comprising a first strip adapted to be straddled by the golfers feet substantially normal to the desired line of flight of a golf ball; a replaceable rod mounted on the front end of the strip for indicating the proper teeing position of the golf ball prior to swinging; a cross-strip adjustable intermediate its ends on the first strip intermediate the ends of said first strip; a left foot positioning pad pivotally adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer's left foot; a right foot positioning pad pivotally and axially adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfers right foot; a vertical rod adjustably secured to the rear end of the first strip adapted to be positioned in rear of the golfers left knee to indicate undue sway of the golfers body during swinging; first indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an edge of the left footpad for indicating proper angle adjustment of said pad; other indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an edge of the right footpad for indicating the spacing between the golfers feet in relation to the golf ball during back swing; further indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an edge of the first strip for indicating lateral positioning of the cross-strip on the first stri still further indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an e ge of the first strip for indicating proper angular positioning of the said cross-strip to allow for hooking" and slicing the golf ball; and means for securing both strips down upon the ground surface after stance adjustments have been made.

2. in a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said first strip having a longitudinal slot intermediate its ends; and said cross-strip having a longitudinal slot intermediate its ends adapted to overlie the first strip; and a bolt passing through said slots having a wing nut for binding the strips together.

3. In a gauge as set forth in claim 2, said further indicia being disposed along the slot in the cross-strip.

4. in a gauge as set forth in claim 2, said still further indicia comprising crossmarks in the form of the letter X disposed at the left-hand end of the slot in the cross-strip.

5. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said left footpad being of substantially square shape having a hole in its upper righthand corner; a bolt passing through said hole and through the cross-strip and having a wing nut for binding the pad and strip together; said pad having an arcuate recess in its rear edge adapted to receive the toe of the golfers left shoe; and a plastic rod extending rearwardly from the rear left corner of the pad adapted to be engaged by the outer edge of the golfers left shoe.

6. In a gauge as set forth in claim 5, said first indicia being disposed on the cross-strip and cooperating with the righthand side of the left footpad.

7. [n a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said right footpad being of substantially square shape having a hole in its upper lefthand corner; a bolt passing through said hole and through an axially disposed slot in the cross-strip and having a wing nut for binding the pad and strip together; said pad having an arcuate recess in its rear edge adapted to receive the toe of the golfers right shoe; and a plastic rod extending rearwardly from the rear right corner of the pad adapted to be engaged by the outer edge of the golfers right shoe.

8. In a gauge as set forth in claim 7, said other indicia being disposed along the cross-strip at the sides of the slot and cooperating with the left side of the right footpad.

9. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said front end of the first strip being upwardly flanged, and said replaceable rod being received in a slot in said flange and being of plastic material.

10. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, an arm pivotally secured to the rear end of the first strip by a bolt passing through the arm and strip and having a wing nut; and said vertical rod being clamped to the free end of said arm. 

1. A stance gauge for golfers comprising a first strip adapted to be straddled by the golfer''s feet substantially normal to the desired line of flight of a golf ball; a replaceable rod mounted on the front end of the strip for indicating the proper teeing position of the golf ball prior to swinging; a cross-strip adjustable intermediate its ends on the first strip intermediate the ends of said first strip; a left foot positioning pad pivotally adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer''s left foot; a right foot positioning pad pivotally and axially adjustably mounted on the cross-strip and adapted to be engaged by the toe of the shoe of the golfer''s right foot; a vertical rod adjustably secured to the rear end of the first strip adapted to be positioned in rear of the golfer''s left knee to indicate undue sway of the golfer''s body during swinging; first indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an edge of the left footpad for indicating proper angle adjustment of said pad; other indicia on the crossstrip cooperating with an edge of the right footpad for indicating the spacing between the golfer''s feet in relation to the golf ball during back swing; further indicia on the crossstrip cooperating with an edge of the first strip for indicating lateral positioning of the cross-strip on the first strip; still further indicia on the cross-strip cooperating with an edge of the first strip for indicating proper angular positioning of the said cross-strip to allow for ''''hooking'''' and ''''slicing'''' the golf ball; and means for securing both strips down upon the ground surface after stance adjustments have been made.
 2. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said first strip having a longitudinal slot intermediate its ends; and said cross-strip having a longitudinal slot intermediate its ends adapted to overlie the first strip; and a bolt passing through said slots having a wing nut for binding the strips together.
 3. In a gauge as set forth in claim 2, said further indicia being disposed along the slot in the cross-strip.
 4. In a gauge as set forth in claim 2, said sTill further indicia comprising crossmarks in the form of the letter X disposed at the left-hand end of the slot in the cross-strip.
 5. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said left footpad being of substantially square shape having a hole in its upper right-hand corner; a bolt passing through said hole and through the cross-strip and having a wing nut for binding the pad and strip together; said pad having an arcuate recess in its rear edge adapted to receive the toe of the golfer''s left shoe; and a plastic rod extending rearwardly from the rear left corner of the pad adapted to be engaged by the outer edge of the golfer''s left shoe.
 6. In a gauge as set forth in claim 5, said first indicia being disposed on the cross-strip and cooperating with the right-hand side of the left footpad.
 7. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said right footpad being of substantially square shape having a hole in its upper left-hand corner; a bolt passing through said hole and through an axially disposed slot in the cross-strip and having a wing nut for binding the pad and strip together; said pad having an arcuate recess in its rear edge adapted to receive the toe of the golfer''s right shoe; and a plastic rod extending rearwardly from the rear right corner of the pad adapted to be engaged by the outer edge of the golfer''s right shoe.
 8. In a gauge as set forth in claim 7, said other indicia being disposed along the cross-strip at the sides of the slot and cooperating with the left side of the right footpad.
 9. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, said front end of the first strip being upwardly flanged, and said replaceable rod being received in a slot in said flange and being of plastic material.
 10. In a gauge as set forth in claim 1, an arm pivotally secured to the rear end of the first strip by a bolt passing through the arm and strip and having a wing nut; and said vertical rod being clamped to the free end of said arm. 